A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of speaking to the great Comedian Shelley Berman, well he's back on the show to talk about a book of poetry he's has written along with extraordinary ability to adlib. I've got a free vintage online magazine to check out, and a nice box set for you in time for Christmas

this week on the show we take a look at one of the smallest players in the movie making machine of Hollywood of the fifties that just happened to be one that packed a really big punch…news on the demise of the Hukilau event in Florida plus the best lounge and exotica from across the globe along with the best parties to end the year with.

Jeff Beachbum Berry has got a brand new book out that will blow your mind about the history of tiki drinks. For those in Los Angeles I have a very cool hang out for you plus a very groovy newsletter to sign up for which I can guarantee you won't regret when it drops into your inbox each week.

What a year it had been here at the Cocktail Nation with the show being added to more and more stations across the globe....look out Ryan Seacrest, I'm coming to get you. The podcast was enhanced, we got a new website and I bought a 1964 Austin Healey! But ofcourse the show needs great guests and great music and we have had plenty of that. Each year I like to highlight the best of the best of the year and that's sometimes difficult in a one hour show so for you some of the most stand out releases of the last twelve months.

Show number one for 2014 as we kick off the year in fine style talking about the wonderful Julie London and a fantastic book. Speaking of books we will talk about a book you need on your shelf to improve your swank life and we have all the swank parties linked up in our world of swank gig guide.
Standby for an announcement on a new segment plus we will have a laugh with Don Rickles.

Nathan Haines Lament
David Carbonara The Twenty Third Foor
Julie London Must Be Catchin
Cal Tjader Meditcao
Sally Street All I Do Is Dream Of You
Chet Baker I Fall In Love To Easy
Lee Presson and the Nail Coax Me A Little
Pink Martini But Now I’m Back
Warren Barker Hawaiian Eye
Gerry Mulligan Night Lights
Stacey Kent Waiter Oh Waiter
Royal Crown Revue Deadly Night Call

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I am a huge Julie London fan. I listened to her first album over and over as a child, and of course stared at the album cover for hours as well (one of my first baby crushes!)

If people have not heard the album, it is one of the best pop-jazz records out there. Only guitar, bass and vocals...no overdubs...just perfection in playing. I know the song on your playlist this time is not from this album...but frankly, anything from Julie London is superb!

Starting our new monthly feature of the classic comedy of the golden age and this week we kick of with the stand up comedy of Don Adams.
Some news for the purists that hang out here, news that I think will pleas a lot of people who like authenticity when it comes to lighting the pad.

the lounge sounds are ready to go as we set the needle on the vinyl up high in the sydney penthouse and thus week we take a look at an an architectural giant of the the US landscape…The Encounter Restaurant at the Theme Building in LAX…news on the release of a very noir book to pick up and some news from me when your swank life goes slightly awry!

we head to Belgium to find out about a brand new exotica band called The Left Arm of Buddha, if you are in the market for a new retro styled watch we have something you will just love. There’s a new literary segment for the lounge lotharios and the best lounge and exotica from across the globe.

There is nothing better than a nice relaxing Cocktail Bar. Everybody has their favourites and I thought that his week we should talk about some of the cool cocktail bars for the jetset to visit across the globe along with the origins of the worlds most famous cocktails plus the history of cocktailian culture
An all cocktail theme this week along with the look at the world of swank and all the retro news you count on the Cocktail Nation team to bring you

talking cars this week with a man who has a fantastic blog about my favourite topic cars, we talk swank texting, we check out the penthouse library with a book about the most beautiful woman in the world and we find out where the Bahooka Fish Rufas is going to retire to, along with our world of swank gig guide.

we are back this week with our monthly look at classic comedy and this week a great sketch by Bob Newhart, we will talk about record hunting plus another book from the penthouse library on one of the coolest cats in lounge and how about some very rare instruments for your band or perhaps just to put on display in your pad.
We have some new music to play for you plus the best party events from across the globe in our world of swank!

A themed show this week on the Cocktail Nation as we play all songs about the female species and speaking of the girls we take a look at the evolution of women....not from eve but the women's liberation movement of the sixties.
So much happened in the sixties, so much that was pivotal in where we are today and the women's lib movement was one of them, speaking of the sixties we talk mad men which returns soon. I have a cool book to check out as we see what is reading in the penthouse plus I have all the best parties from across the globe!

I've got a fantastic interview with a woman who by accident as a teenager became great friends with actor and comedian Paul Lynde, her incredible story to come.
I made An interesting discovery in a dime store book shop this week which led to an interesting journey, news on the passing of the last remaining cast member of hogans heroes plus the best lounge and exotica along with some cool parties and events to attend across the globe.